Does Ammo Expire? How Long Does Different Types of Ammo Last

Most ammunition manufacturers set their expiration of ammunition at a 10 year lifespan, which is actually very conservative. Lifespan of ammunition really comes down to how and under what conditions it is stored. The better the storage, the longer it will last.

Different types of ammunition will be a little different in the way they should be stored and what issues they are susceptible to when being stored. But there are many different ways to go about storing and preserving your ammunition for the long run. Let’s take a look at different ammunition and how they can be stored for longevity.

Materials of Ammunition

When it comes to the longevity of ammunition, there is a lot that can be taken into consideration. Knowing a little bit about the construction and materials used in making ammunition can be important to know exactly how to go about storing different types of ammunition. 

The innards of ammunition is relatively the same, with the gunpowder being the most important aspect. If the gunpowder becomes compromised and loses its potency, then the ammunition is worthless and has the potential to be dangerous if attempting to fire the round. But ultimately, knowing more about the outer casing and bullet type will really help direct the storage needed.

Brass

Brass cased ammunition has the ability to stand up to the elements for a very long time. Most ammunition companies use all brass cases because they last longer, ensure better sealing between the bullet and casing, and are more gentle on the working components of the firearms that are firing the ammunition. 

Brass is less susceptible to corrosion and will stand up to adverse conditions much better than other materials used, like steel.

Steel

Steel-based ammunition is not as popular as it once was, but can still be found. Steel ammunition has been known to be considerably cheaper than brass ammunition, but it also has its drawbacks. 

Steel is much more susceptible to corrosion and the elements, even when being stored. And steel has the reputation for being much harder on the working parts of the firearm that the ammunition is being fired through. This has led to steel-based ammunition becoming way less popular than brass-based ammunition.

Paper

Paper shells were more popular in shotgun shells prior to the 1960s when plastic hulls were introduced, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still find them from time to time. Paper shells are very prone to absorbing moisture, which ruins the gunpowder, but they can still be preserved for a long time. 

If you come across older, antique paper shells still in good condition, they can be fired. But it might be better to preserve them and store them as a nice piece of history.

Plastic

Plastic hulls for shotguns have been around for well over 50 years now and are the basis of the shotgun shell industry. These are very resistant to the elements, but most have a steel or brass component that still needs to be taken care of. So just because the plastic is less likely to have issues, it is important to keep them stored properly to increase their shelf life.

Full Metal Jacket vs. Hollow Point

The bullet style of ammunition can also play a large factor in the lifespan of ammunition. Full metal jackets keep their integrity much better than hollow point rounds because they fully enclose the round and the casing to keep the elements out of the inner components. 

Hollow point rounds and self-defense ammunition are much more susceptible to the elements and have a tendency to have more lead degradation. This is important to keep in mind for concealed carry users who touch and have their ammunition out in the elements much more than the shooter who takes their ammunition from storage to the range and back.

Types of Ammunition

What Causes Ammo To Go Bad?

When it comes to the lifespan of ammunition, there are some serious enemies that we need to combat that will be familiar to those who are also meticulous about their gun care. 

The number one enemy of ammunition in general is moisture. Moisture is the lead cause of ammunition going bad before it actually should. Moisture can cause rust and corrosion on the outside of ammunition. It can also enter the interior of ammunition through the primer pocket which can affect the primer and the gunpowder of the round. 

A telling sign of moisture issues is rust and discoloration of the primer or rim of the casing on the round. If you encounter this, the round might be compromised and dangerous to fire through a firearm. If you are running into this issue, it might be time to change up your ammunition storage methods.

Other issues that can affect the integrity of ammunition are heat and sunlight. These can alter, warp, corrode, and degrade not only the outer conditions of the round, but also the inner workings of the round as well.

Ammunition Storage Options

When it comes to storing your ammunition, there are a variety of different options that can be used. There are also some very useful tips and ideas that will be discussed to help mitigate some common issues that come up when storing ammunition.

We want to avoid the elements and conditions that will degrade and lower the lifespan of our ammunition. To do this, a basic rule to remember for ammunition longevity is to store them in cool, dark, dry conditions. Let’s look at ways that we can combat these enemies of ammunition.

Ammo Cans

Ammo cans are specifically designed with the intent to preserve and extend the life of ammunition. They are a great way to store and transport ammunition when you need it. They are also one of the best options because they are usually waterproof, solid in build, and air-tight which helps check off the boxes for everything you need for proper ammunition storage.

Companies are also coming out with heavy-duty plastic ammo cans as well. And while they are not always as good as the military-style metal ammo cans, they are a good alternative. 

There are extra precautions that you can take when using ammo cans to help ensure the storage environment is exactly what you need. When it comes to bulk, loose ammunition, it is always a wise option to vacuum seal ammunition to keep out unwanted moisture. It is always a great way to organize loose ammunition. Another is the use of silica gel packets that can be vacuum sealed inside or placed inside ammo cans to help absorb any moisture and humidity that might find itself sealed in with the ammo.

Ammo cans are great for storing ammunition for those with limited storage space or for those who only have a couple of guns and a small amount of ammunition. Ammo cans can be locked up and put in the back of a closet or under the bed when storage space is limited.

Ammo Lockers or Safes

For those who have a few more firearms and a lot more ammunition, they may opt to have a dedicated ammunition locker or safe that is designated just for their ammo. This is definitely a great option if you have the room for it. Ammo cans could be stored inside the locker or safe if it is big enough or ammunition can be stored in their original boxes or smaller plastic containers inside the locker or safe.

The biggest thing is to make sure that you keep it cool, dry and dark while limiting air exposure to the ammunition. Luckily, there are some newer devices that can help achieve this storage environment inside of a storage locker or safe for ammunition. There are devices that help control the humidity inside the locker or safe. This is very important.

Other options to keep humidity down are to place silica gel packets inside to absorb unwanted humidity. Vacuuming sealing is again an option. And as a possible last resort, a small tin of kitty litter placed inside the locker or safe can also help absorb moisture and be swapped out intermittently.

Conceal-Carry and Hunting Ammo

For those that conceal-carry and hunt, the ammunition you use is probably exposed to the elements a lot more frequently than your range ammunition. It is even more important to preserve this ammunition because you may only use a couple of rounds a year and these rounds tend to be a bit more expensive. Storing these properly to extend their lifespan is vital. 

Be sure to rotate rounds frequently and wipe them down to avoid corrosion and rust from forming. Also, when not in use, be sure to store these properly as we have discussed above. 

For those that take ammunition into the elements, a good method to rotate rounds might be to use the rounds you have carried for a while at the range and replace them with rounds that have been kept stored properly. This will ensure that when the time comes, the ammunition will be reliable.

Lifespan Is On You